{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/press-releases/heinrich-cosponsors-bipartisan-legislation-to-improve-background-check-system-for-firearms-purchases", "Heinrich Cosponsors Bipartisan Legislation To Improve Background Check System For Firearms Purchases", "2017-11-17", "2017", "2017-11", "Democrat", "House", "NM", "Martin Heinrich", "H001046", "www.heinrich.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Heinrich Cosponsors Bipartisan Legislation To Improve Background Check System For Firearms Purchases\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\tFix NICS Act would improve and enforce records reporting by federal agencies and states\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tFriday, November 17, 2017\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C. -\u00a0 U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) cosponsored the bipartisan Fix NICS Act led by U.S. Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Chris Murphy (D-CT) to ensure federal and state authorities comply with existing law and accurately report relevant criminal history records to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS). The bill penalizes federal agencies who fail to properly report relevant records and incentivizes states to improve their overall reporting. The bill also directs more federal funding to the accurate reporting of domestic violence records.\r\n\u201cOur country is weary from violence and grief and the American people deserve meaningful action from Congress. With each new tragic shooting, we see clear examples of how we are failing to keep guns out of the hands of those who would turn them against our communities,\u201d said Heinrich. \u201cWe must address the loopholes that helped lead to the mass shooting in Texas and improve our system of reporting criminal and domestic violence records. This is something Republicans and Democrats can agree on and action we must take to prevent future tragedies.\u201d\r\nThe Fix NICS Act has received endorsements from the National Rifle Association of America, the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, the Fraternal Order of Police, the National Domestic Violence Hotline, the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, the National Shooting Sports Foundation, the National Network to End Domestic Violence, and the National Sheriffs Association.\r\nBackground on the Fix\u00a0NICS\u00a0Act:\r\n \r\nRequires federal agencies and states to produce\u00a0NICS\u00a0implementation plans focused on uploading all information to the background check system showing that a person is prohibited from purchasing or possessing firearms under current law\u2014including measures to verify the accuracy of records.\u00a0\r\nHolds federal agencies accountable if they fail to upload relevant records to the background check system through public reporting and prohibiting bonus pay for political appointees.\u00a0\r\nRewards states who comply with their\u00a0NICS\u00a0implementation plans through federal grant preferences and incentives, while increasing accountability through public reporting for those who do not comply with their plans.\u00a0\r\nReauthorizes and improves important law enforcement programs to help state governments share relevant criminal record information with\u00a0NICS.\u00a0\r\nCreates a Domestic Abuse and Violence Prevention Initiative to ensure that states have adequate resources and incentives to share all relevant information with\u00a0NICS\u00a0showing that a felon or domestic abuser is excluded from purchasing firearms under current law.\u00a0\r\nProvides important technical assistance to federal agencies and states who are working to comply with\u00a0NICS\u00a0record-sharing requirements.\r\n \r\nA copy of the bill is available\u00a0here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.heinrich.senate.gov/press-releases/heinrich-cosponsors-bipartisan-legislation-to-improve-background-check-system-for-firearms-purchases"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.0200911201536655, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}